Migration and asylum

As head of the Permanent Representation of Sweden to the European Union, Lars Danielsson represents the Government on a range of important EU issues in Brussels. This work offers him an insight into the EU’s political dynamics shared by few others.

In 2016–2017 the EU took several important measures to handle the acute refugee situation and strengthen the present asylum system. Its common borders have been strengthened, work on return and resettlement has been intensified and the EU is continuing to combat ruthless human trafficking, as well as the root causes forcing people to flee. Refugee flows have decreased but many people are still risking their lives to come to Europe. Work for a sustainable, humane and functioning common migration and asylum policy therefore needs to continue.

National statement delivered by Ambassador Olof Skoog on behalf of Sweden at the United Nations Security Council Briefing on ‘The situation in the Middle East including the Palestinian question,’ 20 February 2018, New York.

On 7 December, the Permanent Representation of Sweden to the EU hosted two panel discussions on women and girls in EU migration policy. The discussions provided input to political decision making processes in the field of migration.

Future relations between Europe and Africa are the subject of discussion as leaders from the European Union and the African Union, AU, meet in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, on 29–30 November. The Summit, which is the fifth between the EU and the AU, will particularly focus on investing in youth.

The Government has decided on a government bill on controls of biometric identifiers in travel documents. The bill was presented to the Riksdag 24 October 2017.

When Prime Minister Stefan Löfven met his colleagues at the European Council meeting of 19–20 October, the heads of state or government adopted conclusions on migration, a Digital Europe, security and defence, and external relations. Afterwards, they discussed Brexit, without the participation of the UK.When Prime Minister Stefan Löfven met his colleagues at the European Council meeting of 19–20 October, the heads of state or government adopted conclusions on migration, a Digital Europe, security and defence, and external relations. Afterwards, they discussed Brexit, without the participation of the UK.

Migration, digital issues, security and defence will be on the agenda as Prime Minister Stefan Löfven meets his European colleagues in the European Council on 19–20 October. On the second day of the Council the heads of state and government will discuss the negotiations on the UK’s exit from the EU.

On 20 September 2017, the Government presented the Budget Bill for 2018 to the Riksdag. The budget contains comprehensive investments in the Swedish Police Authority, other parts of the judicial system and civil defence. The Budget Bill is based on an agreement between the Government and the Left Party.

On 31 July, Prime Minister Stefan Löfven will travel to Paris for meetings with President Emmanuel Macron and Prime Minister Edouard Philippe. The agenda for talks includes Swedish-French cooperation, the future of the EU, migration and security, and jobs and growth. Minister for Enterprise and Innovation Mikael Damberg will also travel to Paris, as one important issue to be discussed is innovation cooperation and the business sector.